Sustainable Procurement Is Good Procurement

At Action Sustainability, we’re proud to support and lead conversations that shape the future of sustainable procurement. In a recent two-part podcast series hosted on our sister platform, ISO20400.org, our very own consultant Mellita D’Silva shares practical insights, international experience, and lessons learned from implementing sustainability in procurement strategies across sectors.

These episodes form part of ISO20400.org’s ongoing podcast series dedicated to exploring best practice in sustainable procurement and are an example of how we use our expertise at Action Sustainability to support the wider community through our not-for-profit sister organisation.

Episode 64: Sustainable Procurement Is Good Procurement

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In Part 1, Mellita D’Silva shares her extensive procurement journey and how sustainability fits into modern procurement practices. She highlights the importance of collaboration, early supplier engagement, and getting procurement basics right before layering on sustainability.

Key Insights:

• Procurement has evolved from managing the full supply chain to a more transactional role, but upskilling across procurement and commercial teams on sustainability is essential.
• Early contractor involvement and supplier relationship management help suppliers understand and meet sustainability requirements, improving outcomes.
• Strong, logical procurement processes aligned to business needs are a must before adding sustainability to avoid messy or ineffective results.
• ISO 20400 is a guidance standard focused on continuous improvement, not a certification – organisations benefit most when they use it as a journey, not a checklist.
• Collaboration between sustainability and procurement teams is critical to avoid supplier confusion and duplicate efforts, ensuring a joined-up approach.

“Bad procurement will cost you more; sustainability shouldn’t.” — Mel D’Silva

Episode 65: Mel’s World of Sustainable Procurement

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In Part 2, Mel discusses how organisations are practically adopting ISO 20400, highlighting global differences and advice for those new to sustainable procurement.

Key Insights:

• ISO 20400 is a flexible guide, not a rigid checklist – start where it makes most sense, with risk heat mapping as a great first step.
• Maturity varies globally: the Middle East, Australia/New Zealand, and South Asia are leading in implementation, while the UK tends to focus more on policies.
• Beyond environmental issues, social factors like human rights and modern slavery are increasingly recognised worldwide.
• Making a business case for social return on investment helps justify sustainable procurement decisions that may have higher upfront costs.
• New practitioners should align procurement with existing corporate sustainability goals, engage all relevant stakeholders early, and use free resources such as the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
• Sustainable procurement is a collective effort – everyone involved in procurement decisions needs to be engaged to embed lasting change.

“Implement where you can, rather than trying to follow the standard end to end.” — Mel D’Silva

Final Thoughts

Sustainable procurement is no longer an optional extra – it’s a vital part of responsible business practice. As Mel highlights, the journey is rarely straightforward, but ISO 20400 offers a practical, adaptable framework that organisations of all sizes and sectors can use to embed sustainability into their procurement processes.

Whether you’re new to sustainable procurement or leading a mature programme, the key is to start somewhere meaningful. Risk heat mapping, stakeholder engagement, and making a strong business case for social value are all crucial steps. Importantly, sustainability is a collective responsibility – involving everyone who influences procurement decisions is essential to creating lasting impact.

For those just starting out, remember that plenty of resources are available, like the Supply Chain Sustainability School and www.iso20400.org, to support your learning and development.

Sustainable procurement isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about driving real change through collaboration, innovation, and practical action.

Want support embedding sustainable procurement in your organisation? Get in touch with us to speak with our team.